Naming Liturgy

For my naming Liturgy at St. Andrew Lutheran, I copied much from the naming liturgy described in Nadia Bolz-Weber's blog, as well as the service for the affirmation of baptism, a liturgy I love and find deeply meaningful.  This was then edited by both pastors and our minister of music to come to the final form.

This rote occurred after the hymn following the sermon.  Many of my friends and family were present at the font with me.

The P: parts alternated between our two pastors.  The C: part is the congregation.

Photo thanks to (C) Blaine Truitt Covert

PRESENTATION

P: Holy One of Blessing, in baptism you bring us to new life in Jesus Christ and you name us Beloved. We give you thanks for the renewal of that life and love in Laura Christine Bancroft, who now takes on a new name.

P: Let us pray. Merciful God, we thank you for this brother, whom you have made your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called him to yourself, enlightened him with the gifts of Your Spirit, nourished him in the community of faith. Uphold your servant in the gifts and promises of baptism, and unite the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ.

C: Amen.

P: A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians:

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave nor free, there is no longer male and female; for all are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

P: Let us confess our faith in the words of the “Creation Creed” found on page 5 of the worship folder.

LAYING ON OF HANDS

P: Let us pray. We pray for your servant Leo, with thanks for the journey and awakening that have brought him to this moment, for his place amongst your people, and for his gifts and calling to serve you.

O God, in renaming your servants Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Peter, and Paul, you gave them new lives and new tasks, new love and new hope. We now hold before you our companion, Leo. Bless him with a new measure of grace as he takes this new name. Write him again in your heart and on your palm. And grant that we all may be worthy to call ourselves Christians, for the sake of your Christ, whose name is Love, and in whom, with you and the Spirit, we pray.

C: Amen.

THE GIVING OF THE NAME

P: By what name shall you be known?

Leo: My name is Leo.

Pastors: Your name is Leo.

P: People of God, do you promise to support Leo as he bears this new name and pray for him in his life of Christ. If so, please say: “We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.”

C: We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.

P: Leo, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Bear your new name in the Name of Christ. Share it in the name of mercy. Offer it in the name of justice. Christ is among us making peace right here right now. And let the people say, “Amen.”

C: Amen.  (followed by much applause)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION